• Lakeland Jamboree

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    old-timey camera phone

    Saturday night, I went to the Lakeland Jamboree in Cadiz, Ky.

    The last time I went it was a $2 or $3 cover and no beer since its a dry county. My Aunt Lilly was there along with a lot of older ladies in their 80’s. It was pretty relaxed as far as shows go. The Grand Ole Opry is relaxed, too, with people walking back and forth on stage while the guest artist is playing.

    During that show, there was a guy standing in the back of the room wearing a dress stuffed with a pillow, as if he were pregnant, grinning just as big as he could. When it was his time he walked to the stage as a cd played Loretta Lynn’s “One’s on the Way”. He stood on the stage grinning, until Loretta sang, “Whoa! One’s on the way!” He would say it, too, and then stand there grinning until that line came again. The folks were rolling. It was the darndest thing.

    He wasn’t there this time. It was just music. $3 cover. Soda and popcorn were $2 total. A couple of kids did “Dueling Banjos” and it was excellent. There was a minor argument on stage between the host and a guest which added some nice drama. The best part of the evening was a guy in the audience who came up to sing Merle Haggard’s “Branded Man”. I really think that guy did some time. He embraced the shit out of that song, tugging my heart a bit.

    I’m going to try to go back next month. I’m glad this place exists and I’m glad these people enjoy playing for us.

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    Lilly’s Rocking Chair. Her stories are on.